Florida commits $35 million to three port projects

Florida has made a commitment of nearly $35 million for strategic port projects across the state that will be recommended for the upcoming legislative session.The additional investments will be included in the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Work Program.

"We're on the right track to growing more jobs for families with increased investments in our seaports," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott. "With this commitment for critical port projects, we'll enhance our ports' ability to move more goods which will position Florida to play an even greater role in global trade. Our strategy to make Florida the gateway for global trade is working."

The three Florida ports to receive funding include Port Canaveral, $9.7 million for development of a container yard; Port Everglades, $14.7 million to support the Turning Notch project and Port of Tampa, $10.4 million to improve its container yard.

Between 2011 and 2014, $642 million has been allocated for on-port projects, including waterside projects for Canaveral, Miami and Jacksonville and terminal and rail improvements at Tampa. Just last month, Gov. Scott and the Cabinet approved the proposed bond issuance of $150 million to fund 16 important projects at Florida seaports. In this current fiscal year, the state of Florida (including projects funded through the upcoming bond issuance) is funding more than $275 million directly on seaport projects.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad said, "I applaud the governor for his continued investment in Florida's seaports. These strategic port improvements will position Florida to capitalize on the expansion of the Panama Canal in 2015."